Vaibhavi, who hopes to one day officiate at the highest level of world rugby, was in Auckland with her father, Dhanjay Deo, to watch the All Blacks take on Ireland when she received an unexpected surprise.
Just before kick-off, she was invited from her seat to the sideline, where she joined the international match officials as they completed their final preparations for the Test.
From ground level, Vaibhavi watched the teams run onto the field, witnessed the national anthems and the famous All Blacks haka, and spent the match learning how elite referees prepare, communicate and work together.
Speaking after the experience, Vaibhavi says she had no idea what was happening when she was taken from her seat and described it as the biggest surprise of her life.
She says seeing how international referees prepare for a Test match and watching the haka from the sideline, has inspired her to work even harder towards her goal of one day returning to Eden Park as a referee.
After the match, Australian referee Nic Berry presented Vaibhavi with a signed World Rugby match official's jersey, to encourage her to continue pursuing her dream.
Rugby Australia has also expressed their interest in supporting her development as she works towards becoming an international referee.
Her father, Dhanjay Deo, says the trip was originally planned so they could watch their first All Blacks Test together, but the surprise made it an experience the family will never forget.
Vaibhavi's journey has also been supported by Fiji Airways, while the Fiji Rugby Union and the Suva Rugby Referees Association continue to mentor and encourage her as she pursues her dream of becoming a top-level rugby referee.
